June 15, 2018 at
7:00 AM

6/15 Cup of Coffee: It was an eventful Thursday on the farm, highlighted by some spectacular pitching performances. Two of Boston's 2016 top draftees went head-to-head, as Mike Shawaryn (pictured, left) and ex-teammate Shaun Anderson locked horns. Tanner Houck and Joan Martinez came within one out of a no-hitter for Salem, while Greenville's Denyi Reyes continued his mastery of the South Atlantic League.

Right-hander Josh A. Smith struggled in his start, leaving the PawSox in a hole they could not dig out of despite an outstanding effort by the bullpen. The IronPigs torched Smith for seven runs (six earned) on eight hits in 1 2/3 innings. Relief pitching continues to be a strong suit, and on Thursday it was Kyle Martin, Bobby Poyner, Tyler Thornberg, and Ty Buttrey teaming up for 6 1/3 frames without giving up an earned run. Buttrey struck out three in two perfect innings, giving him a 12-inning scoreless streak over his last nine appearances. Cole Sturgeon drove in the only run as part of a 2-for-4 night. Ivan De Jesus also went 2 for 4, and is 10 for 21 over his last six contests.

An exciting matchup lived up to its hype, as Boston's 2016 fifth-round pick Mike Shawaryn outdueled Shaun Anderson (pictured, right, with Lowell in 2016), the Red Sox third-round selection that year. Anderson has impressed since joining the Giants organization in the trade that brought Eduardo Nunez to the Red Sox. Anderson delivered as advertised, giving up only two runs in six innings, but Shawaryn stepped up with six innings of shutout ball. The former Maryland Terrapin struck out seven without walking a batter, scattered five hits, and threw 65 of his 101 pitches for strikes. Josh Ockimey remained hot, driving in two runs as part of his fourth straight two-hit game. Austin Rei picked up his seventh double of the season during a 3-for-4 night.

Highly-touted hurlers Tanner Houck and Joan Martinez have taken their share of lumps with Salem this year, but the duo was excellent Thursday, missing out on a combined no-hitter with two outs in the ninth inning. Houck induced 13 ground ball outs from the 21 batters he faced, striking out three in his six hitless frames. The only negative for the 2017 first-round pick was the four walks he surrendered. Martinez then got eight more outs before giving up the ninth-inning RBI single. Martinez struck out five and walked four.

Tyler Hill was a catalyst at the plate, going 3 for 5 with a triple, two runs scored, and his 15th stolen base of the year. Bobby Dalbec, taken in the 2016 draft with the selection between the aforementioned Anderson and Shawaryn, picked up a double for his organization-leading 28th extra-base hit of the year. Brett Netzer added two doubles of his own, matching Dalbec's 15 this season.

After beginning the season in the bullpen, Denyi Reyes has turned into a cornerstone of the Greenville rotation. The 21-year-old righty allowed only four hits in six shutout innings, extending a stretch of only one run allowed over 27 innings across his last four appearances. He struck out 10 for the second time this season, and walked two, pounding the strike zone with 63 of 89 pitches for strikes. Tanner Nishioka was 2 for 5 with a double and pair of RBI to pace the offense. Isaias Lucena and Jordan Wren added to hits apiece for Greenville.

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The Lowell Spinners will begin their season today in Norwich, Conn. against the Connecticut Tigers (DET). Check out the SoxProspects.com main page for any info and updated rosters.

A 19-hit attack coupled with six Braves errors contributed to a big day for the Red Sox1 lineup. Batters totaled eight extra-base hits, as Ceddanne Rafaela led the charge, ripping a pair of doubles as part of a 4-for-6 effort. Rafaela also scored twice and stole a base. Lewis Baez had his second consecutive three-hit game, making him 14 for 29 on the season. Sox starter Jeison Pena was the main beneficiary of the offensive outburst, cruising to the win with two runs allowed in five innings. Pena struck out six and walked one. The big lead was fortunate, as the bullpen turned in an effort that drives pitching coaches mad. Despite being staked to leads of 11-2 and 17-4, the Sox trio of relievers walked 12 batters in four innings.

Antoni Flores continues to pace the Sox offense. The 17-year-old shortstop out of Venezuela and recipient of a $1.4 million bonus last July picked up another three hits to boost his early-season line to .333/.455/.500. Flores also doubled and drove in a pair. Angel Maita has been a doubles machine, picking up his fifth of the season on Monday. Starter Brayan Bello allowed a run on two hits in 4 1/3 inning, striking out four and walking two. Johan Martinez (not to be confused with Salem reliever Joan Martinez) go the win with his 4 2/3 innings of work in relief.

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Player of the Day: On a day that three starting pitchers each went six shutout innings, Mike Shawaryn edges Tanner Houck and Denyi Reyes for the honor. Shawaryn gets the edge by being the only of the three who did not issue a walk, and because his excellence came in a high-profile matchup against his old teammate. The system's sixth-ranked prospect lowered his ERA on the year to 3.12, with 66 strikeouts and walks 14 strikeouts in 69 1/3 innings pitched.